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Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms. Nomvula Mokonyane, has today convened the 2015 National Sanitation Indaba, currently being held at the iNkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban; Kwazulu-Natal.

The Indaba is held under the theme 'It's not all about Flushing' and is attended by representatives of the three spheres of government, water authorities and entities, business, non-governmental organizations (NGO's) and importantly research and innovation institutions.

Amongst those present at the Indaba to deliver a key-note address, is Deputy-President of the Republic, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa.

The Indaba aims to interrogate alternative solutions to sanitation which will provide safe, reliable and decent sanitation as a means to restore the dignity of many South Africans without access to sanitation.

The provision of adequate sanitation is a national priority as its speaks to the restoration of dignity for many South Africans and addresses some of the historical inequalities that characterize our country.

To date, government has sought to provide water-based sanitation solutions as part of its service delivery model to provide adequate services to currently un-serviced and under-serviced areas where residents are desperately in need of both sanitation and water.

Speaking at the Indaba, Minister Mokonyane warned against the continued use of clean drinkable water to flush toilets as a standard. "We must introduce new technologies that appreciate that water is a scarce resource and as such provide solutions to dispose of effluent via alternative methods. It's not all about flushing and that is the Sanitation Revolution we are here to instigate" said the Minister.

The Minister has emphasized the need to protect the limited water resources currently available to the country and to move with speed to ensure that we engage communities and change the outdated assumptions that have led people to believe adequate sanitation is water borne sanitation.

"We must begin by challenging the property development sector through regulation and licensing requirements to invest itself in developing properties less reliant on water for sanitation in order to ensure we introduce the alternative solutions to low, middle and high income areas" added the Minister.

On 21 May 2015, the Minister will present the Budget Vote of the Department of Water and Sanitation to the National Assembly and will elaborate further on the outcomes of the Indaba and government's plans for the provision of sanitation and the management of our water resources.

"We must affirm our communities and their leaders to own and be involved in projects that seek to deliver sanitation services to them. We must deal with assumptions and educate our people that sanitation is about health, hygiene and the environment. We are removing the daily humiliation that confronts women in particular, in areas with no sanitation services" concluded Minister Mokonyane.

The 2015 National Sanitation Indaba will conclude its business today (15 May 2015) and the department along with the Water Research Commission will process its outcomes and ensure they find expression in government through the necessary channels to deliver the impact required as pronounced by Minister Mokonyane.

Issued by The Department of Water and Sanitation